Leviticus 1 – An Overview of Leviticus and the Seven Meanings of the Burnt Offering

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I. Seven Reasons Why We Should Study the Book of Leviticus.

1. Leviticus is the Heart of God’s Law, and It Reveals the Hidden Sins of the Heart. The Bible proclaims: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” (2 Tim. 3:16). Most believers would agree that the Book of Leviticus is inspired. Many might also agree that it is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” Yet, few churches actually teach through the book. To many, it is inspired in name only. Yet, Leviticus is the central book of the “Torah”, the five holiest books of the Old Testament. It is the “heart” of God’s Law. It was also the heart of Jesus’ Bible when He walked the Earth. Yet, many sadly assume that if Christ came to fulfill the Law, there is no need to study it. But Paul made clear that “through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” (Rom. 3:20). By studying the heart of God’s Law, we learn of our hidden sins. For “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9).

2. Leviticus Teaches us How to Find Fellowship with God.

The first five chapters of Leviticus are the most important because they teach us how to restore our fellowship with God, a primary reason for our existence (1 Jo. 1:3). Chapters 1 through 5 describe: (1) the burnt offering (described in detail below); (2) the grain offering; (3) the peace offering; (4) the ram offering for restitution; and (5) the goat offering for sin.

(1) The Burnt Offering. (Chapter 1). The blood of the animal previously atoned for or paid for a person’s sins. This covered, but did not fully remove, a new believer’s prior sins. Atonement was a necessary step (but not by itself a sufficient step) for a believer to restore true fellowship with God. The reason why atonement does not automatically bring fellowship is that we were “enemies” of God before we were reconciled through Christ’s blood (Ro. 5:10; Phil. 3:18-19). Enemies don’t automatically become friends when they end their hostilities. For Christians, Christ’s death ripped the temple “veil” and gave us direct access to God through Christ (Matt. 27:51; Mk. 15:38). Yet, our “access” to God does not automatically mean that we have “fellowship” with Him (Rev. 3:20). Thus, atonement was merely the first step to finding fellowship with God.

(2) The Grain Offering. (Chapter 2). The grain offering symbolized the act of a believer giving the best of his or her life back as a thank you to God for his or her salvation. This symbolizes a believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit and looking for ways to devote his or her life to the Lord out of devotion. This is the next step to finding fellowship.

(3) The Peace offering. (Chapter 3). The Shalom or peace offering is one of the most important chapters in the Bible. The Shalom offering was so important that the twelve tribes once gave God as part of it: 24 bulls, 60 rams, 60 goats and 160 lambs (Nu. 7:88). The Shalom offering symbolizes a believer who was in peaceful fellowship with the Lord. It is not a temporary condition. It instead is a state of being. This offering was the only offering that was voluntary. It was also the only offering where the believer could eat a part of the sacrifice that was given to God. It symbolized a higher walk with God. Christ also offered to believers that they could enjoy spiritual intimacy with Him, symbolized by dining together with Him, like the Shalom offering: “'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20). Christ offered this so that we could find both fellowship and peace through Him (Jo. 16:33). Sadly, many pastors teach that Jesus was speaking to non-believers. Yet, this is mistaken. He was speaking to the “church in Laodicea.” (Rev. 3:14). Some of the members of this church professed Jesus as Lord. Yet, they were not in fellowship with Him. Likewise, many believers have been sadly led to believe that being saved is the end-all be-all of being a Christian. But it is only the first step in a person’s walk with Christ. If we want true peace and fellowship with God, we must accept Jesus’ knock on the door of our hearts and carefully study the rules for the Shalom offering in the forgotten heart of God’s Law.

(4) The Sin Offering. (Chapter 4). The goat offering for sin symbolizes the act of a believer (already saved by the blood of atonement) who still needs blood shed to cleanse the daily sins in the believer’s walk. This was like an alcoholic renouncing an addiction. The washing of the blood could wipe away a believer’s ongoing and daily sins. Yet, a believer still needs to renounce the old ways of the flesh to restore true fellowship. This was symbolized by the goat being cast out of the community with the people’s sins. In summary, the five offerings had the peace offering at the epicenter. The first two offerings were necessary prerequisites to finding peace with God. The last two offerings were necessary to bring a believer back into fellowship with God after a believer sinned.

(5) The Guilt Offering. (Chapter 5). The guilt offering was designed to maintain fellowship with God by forcing a believer to become aware of and repent of even the smallest sins. It also required that a sinner pay restitution to God and anyone else that the person may have harmed. Although Christians are frequently taught that an apology is enough, God expects a believer to also restore another person after a believer hurts someone else. For example, an apology after a theft may bring God’s forgiveness. But, without restitution to a victim, it is not enough to restore fellowship.

3. Leviticus Teaches Us What Kind of “Spiritual Offerings” to Make Out of Our Lives.

Christ came to fulfill the sacrificial Law: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matt. 5:17). His death was a one-time sacrifice for all generations: “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” (Heb. 10:14). Yet, this does not mean that Christ left us without anything to do when it comes to the sacrifices listed in Leviticus. We study the details of the animal sacrifices to learn how to make “spiritual sacrifices” to Christ: “you also . . . are . . . to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 2:5). “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Rom. 12:1). The bull symbolizes strength. Christ gave His strength for us. We give our strength to Him. The grain offering symbolized the gift of the best of your labors to God. Christ gave the best of His labors to us. We are to give the best of our labors back to Him in gratitude. The lamb symbolized submission. Christ submitted Himself to the will of the Father in death. We are to submit to Christ’s will for our lives. The ram symbolized the payment of restitution for wrongs. Christ paid for our wrongs. We are to respond by making whole anyone that we have wronged. The goat offering symbolized shedding of the sins of our old lives. Christ became the scapegoat of our old lives and made us a new creation. We are to respond by renouncing the flesh and making our bodies “living sacrifices” that are wholly acceptable to God (Rom. 12:1).

4. Leviticus Teaches Us How to Fulfill the Law of Christ By Caring For Others.

Chapters 6 and 7 repeat the sacrificial laws. Yet, they explain the Priest’s role in preparing the sacrifices for others. God taught the Levites His Law so that they could serve those around them who wanted to be reconciled to God. The Levites were commanded to keep the sacrificial fire burning “day and night” in case any person wanted to come forward to be set right with God (Lev. 6:9, 12-13). Helping others to be reconciled to Christ fulfills “the law of Christ.” “Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2). “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” (Rom. 15:1).

5. Leviticus Instructs Us to Fulfill Our Calling as a “Nation of Priests” for God.

Chapters 8 through 10 explain what we must do to be priests for God. Many believe that “priests” are the people who preach on Sundays. Although some Christians use this title for a leader of the congregation, God uses the term more broadly. He makes clear that all of His believers were meant to be His “nation of priests”. This included the Jews: “you shall be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.” (Ex. 19:6). This also included Christians: “you . . . are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood . . .” (1 Pet. 2:5). “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” (1 Pet. 2:9). Christ “has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (Rev. 1:6). If you fail to accept that you are part of God’s “nation of priests” you fail to acknowledge one of the reasons why God made you, and you have not fulfilled your calling.

6. Leviticus Teaches Us How to be Holy in God’s Eyes.

As a nation of priests, God gave the instructions in Leviticus so that we could be holy: ‘“For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.”’ (Lev. 11:44). ‘“Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”’ (Lev. 19:2). “You are to be my holy people.” (Ex. 22:31). These instructions also apply to Christians: “for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Pet. 1:16). If we want to be Holy in God’s eyes, we must study Leviticus. The book teaches us what types of things of the world we may touch or consume with our eyes without defiling ourselves. Chapter 11 explains the dietary laws. Christ cleansed the animals we eat (Acts 10:10-15). Yet, the chapter still has meaning today. The Word of God is considered our spiritual food (Matt. 4:4). The restricted animals each symbolize what we may consume with our eyes. Chapter 12 explains how we circumcise our hearts. Chapters 13 through 15 (the laws regarding leprosy and hygiene) teach us how to deal with our hidden sins and to help a brother or sister deal with the sins in their hearts. Chapter 18 teaches us regarding the laws of sexual purity. Chapters 19 and 20 teach us to be holy through the Ten Commandments and God’s other laws for righteous living. Chapters 21 and 22 teach us that being holy involves being set apart from the sins of the world around us. Part of being holy involves carefully distinguishing the things that Christ fulfilled (the blood sacrifices and dietary laws) and those things which He did not fulfill. For example, Christ raised to an even higher standard for sexual purity by examining our thoughts, not just our actions. The Jews were meant to be a light to the rest of the world (Is. 42:6; 49:6). So are Christians (Matt. 5:14; 1 Pet. 2:4-5). If we are not holy, the light that comes from us does not serve to draw others to God. Instead, it may push them away.

7. Leviticus Teaches Us How to Honor God.

Finally, the book of Leviticus teaches us how to honor God. Chapter 16 instructs us about the holiest day on God’s calendar (a day most Christians sadly ignore) the Day of Atonement. Chapter 17 teaches us to honor the blood that gives us communion with God. Chapter 23 teaches about the seven festivals of the Messiah and how we should observe them to honor God. Chapter 24 teaches us life lessons in honoring God and serving others through the table of “shewbread” and the golden lamp stand. Chapter 25 teaches us about freedom from bondage and debt through the Jubilee laws. Chapter 26 teaches us about the blessings that come from a life honoring God and the curses for those who live a life that dishonors God. Chapter 27 concludes Leviticus with a discussion regarding the costs of breaking a vow to God. As a “nation of priests” for God, we should only make vows to Him that we will keep. Yet, if you can make a vow to God that you will keep, like your wedding vow, it is one of the highest ways to honor Him.

II. The Seven Meanings of the Burnt Offerings in Leviticus Chapter 1.

Introduction: There are seven messages for every believer in the first chapter of Leviticus. First, every person must accept that sin creates a barrier between them and God. Second, only through a proper blood sacrifice can a person atone for their sins. Third, the sacrifice had to be without blemish or sin. Fourth, the blood sacrifice only worked if the person had faith in God’s ability to transfer their sins to the sacrifice. Fifth, the Old Testament left the Jews with the need for a better way to atone for sins. Their system could only “cover” sin, not remove it. Their system also broke down when the Romans destroyed the Second Temple shortly after Jesus’ death. Today, there is no way for the Jews to strictly follow the sacrificial laws to atone for their sins. Christ provided the answer. His blood was without blemish. Our sins can be transferred to Him if we have faith in Him. He further came as a one-time sacrifice to fulfill the sacrificial Law. Sixth, this chapter also reveals that a person must still wash off their daily sins after they received atonement through the blood sacrifice. Believers today cannot just accept Christ and never look back at Him again. Believers must wash in His Word to cleanse themselves on a daily basis. Finally, although believers no longer need to make physical sacrifices, they are called upon to make “spiritual sacrifices” out of gratitude for what Christ did for them (1 Pet. 2:5). This includes making their lives a “living sacrifice” for Him (Ro. 12:1).

1. Recognize the Barrier Sin Creates Between You and God. Ex. 40:34-35; Lev. 1:1-2

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2. The Reason For the Blood Sacrifice to Atone for Sins. Lev. 1:3-17.

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3. The Reason for the Sacrifice of the Animal “Without Defect” to Atone for Sins.

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4. The Need For Faith in the Power of the Blood Sacrifice.

5. The Need for a Better Blood Sacrifice.

6. After Our Sins Are Atoned For, We Must Still Wash Ourselves of Our Daily Sins.

7. The “Spiritual Sacrifices” God Still Expects of Us.

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